Parents of Au Pair Go On Trial

Jul. 17, 2000

CHESTER, England (AP) _ Former au pair Louise Woodward accompanied her parents to court Monday as they arrived to face trial on charges of defrauding an appeal fund set up in her name.

Gary and Sue Woodward are accused of submitting a false invoice for about $14,500 for Sue Woodward's accommodation in Boston, Mass., where her daughter was tried for murder in 1997.

Louise Woodward was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Matthew Eappen, an 8-month-old boy in her care. A judge later reduced her conviction to manslaughter. She was freed after spending 279 days in jail.

The Woodwards, both 44 and now estranged, have denied submitting any false invoices to the Louise Woodward and Family Trust, which received donations from the public.